Herne Bay manager Ben Smith is eager to extract the best from attacking midfielder Kyron Lightfoot at Winch’s Field.

The highly-rated 21-year-old joined Bay earlier this summer having played under Smith during Canterbury City’s run in the FA Vase last season.

Smith is hopeful of the playmaker now asserting himself as a key figure at one club having also played for the likes of Faversham Town, Cray Wanderers and Ramsgate.

"I've said before he needs to find a club and settle down," admitted Smith.

"I certainly think we've got a good relationship. I'm openly very harsh on Kyron but he knows I'm harsh because I know there's so much more to give from him.

"I think we've got a really good relationship, he's got a really good relationship with my assistants Ben Brown and Tim Dixon and that really helps.

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"He knows we trust him as a player and he's got a lot of potential.

"We've just got to keep bringing that little bit extra out of him week-on-week, month-on-month really, that's the plan with Kyron.

"I think he's still got levels to go up and if he does that it will be a struggle for us to keep of him."

Lightfoot could prove an important component to Bay’s approach this season as they look to feed recognised goalscorers in Zak Ansah and Ricky Freeman.

Bay suffered a 2-1 defeat to SCEFL Division 1 side Rochester United at the weekend, their goal coming courtesy of Ansah's eighth in pre-season since signing for the club.

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Smith’s men started the game without Joe Kennett, Chris Saunders and Stuart West, before losing Kieron Campbell early on after he went down in the 23rd minute.

They are due to host Witham Town on Saturday before concluding their pre-season at home to Felixstowe & Walton on August 10.

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